Effect of soybean proteins on gluten depolymerization during mixing and resting

Abstract

AbstractBACKGROUND: Gluten and soy proteins interact as a consequence of dough mixing; however, there is no evidence of the effect of soy protein on gluten depolymerization. The aim of this study was to assess the depolymerizing effect of soy protein on gluten network after mixing and resting of mixed doughs. Therefore, the changes in glutenin macropolymer (GMP) content, protein composition and free sulfhydryl content were evaluated.RESULTS: The protein profile from gluten–soybean blends, obtained by multistacking SDS‐PAGE, showed differences when compared to gluten profile. Soy and gluten proteins were extracted together with SDS buffer, which showed that soy proteins remained associated to insoluble wheat proteins even after hand‐washing the dough to obtain gluten. GMP content was determined to analyze the effect of soy protein on GMP gel formation. Protein content of GMP obtained from flour mixes and doughs was increased by inactive soy flour because soy proteins became insoluble and precipitated together with GMP. Active soy flour decreased GMP content due to gluten depolymerization.CONCLUSION: Soy proteins were associated to wheat protein through physical interaction and covalent and non‐covalent bonds during mixing and resting. These interactions produced large and medium‐size polymers. This fact increased SDS solubility of insoluble gluten proteins, producing a weakening of the gluten network. Physicochemical status of soy protein in the product had a great influence on how wheat–soy proteins interact. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry